which favour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which favour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular favor that has been mentioned previously in a sentence or conversation. For example: "I asked my friend for a favor, which he was happy to do for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Polymer, 1996, 37, 2291), which favour phase separation, are shown to be incorrect.

Polymer

And there are differences between Yahoo! and Google which favour his company.

The Economist

This defines a differential post-dynamic behaviour depending on normal effective stress conditions, which favour the occurrence of shallow landslides.

Engineering Geology

The results reveal three distinct patterns of change, each of which favour particular strategic interventions by transition proponents.

Environmental Science & Policy

Farm subsidies, for instance, which favour certain crops, encourage over-production and flood the market with underpriced goods.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is down to winning arguments locally, both about planning policies which favour growth and about individual applications.

The Guardian

Countries should scrap targets for biofuels which favour an expensive, environmentally damaging business that needlessly distorts food markets.

The Economist

Although the mechanisms are not well understood, this appears to have evolutionary roots which favour greater reproductive success.

The Economist

The survey was commissioned by a network of international schools which favour a rival qualification, the international baccalaureate.

The Guardian

The procedure allows, by simple inspection of the parent isotherms, to determine conditions which favour rapid displacement and high levels of enrichment.

Chemical Engineering Science

The HER kinetics were also found to be the highest in a pH 11 solution, implying that conditions which favour Mg(OH 2 precipitation enhance the HER.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which favour", ensure that the noun it modifies is clearly defined and that the favouring action is logically connected to the rest of the sentence. For clarity, use the phrase to introduce additional, non-essential information about the noun it modifies.

Common error

Avoid using "that" in place of "which" when the clause is non-restrictive (i.e., provides extra information but isn't essential to the sentence's core meaning). "Which" is generally preferred for non-restrictive clauses, set off by commas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which favour" functions as a relative clause, adding extra, non-essential information about a noun. It indicates that the noun supports or prefers a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which favour" is a versatile phrase used to introduce non-essential information about a noun, indicating a preference or advantage. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions as a relative clause and is grammatically correct. While suitable for various contexts, including news and general writing, it's most frequently found in scientific and formal publications. Remember to use "which" instead of "that" in non-restrictive clauses and ensure clarity in your sentence structure for optimal communication. Alternatives such as "that benefit" or "which are in favor of" can be used to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which are in favor of

This alternative rewords the original phrase to use the idiom "in favor of".

that benefit

This alternative directly replaces "which favour" with a more concise and active expression.

that support

Similar to "that benefit", this focuses on the act of providing support or endorsement.

that are conducive to

This alternative introduces a more formal tone, emphasizing the creation of favorable conditions.

that promote

This suggests a more active role in encouraging or advancing something.

that are partial to

This phrase implies a bias or inclination towards something.

that are inclined toward

Similar to "that are partial to", this expresses a tendency or preference.

that give advantage to

This highlights the act of providing an advantage or edge.

that give preference to

Similar to the previous phrase, but emphasizes the act of choosing one thing over another.

that are biased toward

This suggests a leaning or prejudice in a particular direction.

FAQs

How can I use "which favour" in a sentence?

Use "which favour" to add non-essential information about a noun, indicating that something supports or prefers a particular outcome. For example, "The new policies, "which favour" local businesses, are expected to boost the economy."

What are some alternatives to "which favour"?

Alternatives include "that benefit", "that support", or "which are in favor of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "which favour" formal or informal?

"Which favour" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal settings, you might opt for simpler phrasing like "that helps" or "that benefits".

What is the difference between "which favour" and "that favour"?

"Which" introduces a non-restrictive clause, adding extra information, while "that" introduces a restrictive clause, essential for defining the noun. Use "which favour" when the clause can be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning. For example, "The regulations, "which favour" small businesses, are under review" versus "Regulations that favour small businesses are under review" (essential information).